Chapter 62 Don’t give in

The rain outside the window had stopped at some point, the dark clouds were gently pushed aside, and the moon was casting a halo of light in the night sky.

There was no flirtatiousness or tension in the atmosphere between the two people in the room, only a tacit understanding between adults.

I understand your reluctance, and you understand my evil intentions.

"This weekend, give me one day." Chen Mo said.

"Does it take a whole day to watch a movie?" Xu Hongdou wondered.

"A date takes a day." Chen Mo said with a smile.

"Oh." Xu Hongdou responded softly.

After a brief conversation, the two reached a tacit consensus that this should be their first official date.

In the next few days, Chen Mo helped Jiang Congwen record the remaining three songs of the album.

"Milk Bread" and "Soy Milk and Fried Dough Sticks" are both simple sweet songs that are not too difficult, and the recording process went very smoothly.

Jiang Congwen and Zhang Yundong are listening to some new songs together.

"Next you can start the official promotion and warm-up for this album." Zhang Yundong said.

"Then I'll trouble Director Zhang. I will fully cooperate with the company's publicity." Jiang Congwen promised.

Jiang Congwen is still very excited and looking forward to his first album.

"Okay, in addition to promotion through some channels and marketing accounts, the company will also look for some video influencers with a lot of fans to shoot some interactive videos with you and promote your songs. I believe you are familiar with this."

Jiang Congwen nodded. He himself had also received money before to help others promote their songs in the live broadcast room.

"Well, I also know some anchors. Next time I play more PK during the live broadcast, it should be no problem to ask them to cooperate in the promotion." Jiang Congwen said.

In fact, he doesn't know any big anchors with hundreds of millions of fans, so the effect of this kind of publicity may be limited, but the advantage is that he has some personal connections before and doesn't have to spend any money.

As this is his first album, Jiang Congwen feels that he must do his best to make it the best it can be.

Zhang Yundong nodded without saying whether it was good or bad. He knew Jiang Congwen's mentality.

It’s normal for a new artist to release their first album. They feel excited but nervous, and feel like they have to do something, otherwise they’ll be nervous and uneasy.

Whether it works or not is another matter, but finding something to do will make you feel more at ease.

"There are also other artists in the company who will help with the promotion. I will talk to them about this," said Zhang Yundong.

"Thank you, Director Zhang." Jiang Congwen said gratefully.

Such famous artists have a large number of fans, and the recommendation effect is much better than that of ordinary internet celebrities.

There is still a difference between celebrities and internet celebrities.

Celebrities can easily become Internet celebrities. As long as they have one or two memorable roles, are willing to humble themselves and have fun, and don't have any major black spots, they will most likely do well.

Therefore, some third- and fourth-tier stars or actors can easily become big live-streaming hosts.

But it is not easy for internet celebrities to transform themselves into celebrity artists.

On the one hand, they do not have strong business capabilities or professional qualities.

On the other hand, there is the "stereotype" in the minds of netizens.

There is definitely a chain of contempt between the two to a certain extent.

There is often a chain of contempt in the same circle, let alone different circles.

Like a joke circulating in the music circle:
Those who play classical music look down on those who play jazz, those who play jazz look down on those who play rock, those who play rock look down on those who play pop, those who play pop look down on those who play folk music, but this group of people all look down on those who play rap.

Oh, and it is also said that rappers look down on rappers.

There is always this kind of prejudice with an inexplicable sense of superiority, but no one says it out loud.

But if you say it doesn't exist, you can still feel it from other people's words when communicating with them.

Jiang Congwen occasionally has this feeling when communicating with other people in the company, but of course it is not obvious.

On the one hand, short videos are now the main promotional channel, so celebrity artists mostly need the traffic of internet celebrities when promoting their works.

On the other hand, internet celebrities sometimes make as much money as celebrities. Even the top few who promote products cannot compare to most celebrities.

In today's society, money is paramount, and whether or not you make money is basically the primary criterion for measuring the quality of a career.

"It's okay. When they release their works in the future, you can just help promote them." Zhang Yundong said with a smile.

"Everyone comes and goes, it's not a big deal."

"I understand, for sure." Jiang Congwen said seriously.

In fact, Jiang Congwen had only been in the company for a short time and didn’t know many of the artists he was familiar with.

Moreover, Jiang Congwen has not grown up yet, so this kind of propaganda that seems to be "equal exchange, mutual benefit" is not equal at all.

It’s like a new author looking for a platinum master and asking him to help promote a chapter for him. I’ll recommend it to you when I become a master.

Well, it’s a nice idea to write this blank check.

So Jiang Congwen knew that if Zhang Yundong hadn't asked for help, few people would pay attention to him if he went to find others.

"There is also the program called 'Star of Tomorrow' that I told you about before," Zhang Yundong continued.

"In fact, there aren't many ways for newcomers to promote themselves. Before you become famous, there won't be many shows or announcements inviting you."

"It wasn't before." Jiang Congwen was about to say something.

"I'm not asking you to be a contestant." Zhang Yundong waved his hand.

"I didn't expect you to prepare your first album so quickly. After your album is released, it won't be appropriate for you to be a contestant."

"What is that?" Jiang Congwen asked.

"This program has four mentors divided into four tracks, such as beauty and magic voice. Anyway, not every mentor is a singer, so there will be four guest singers to assist."

"Because of the distinction between the primary and secondary roles among the mentors, the guest singers are destined not to be those with a high or similar status."

"I also told you that Nan Xi is one of the four mentors of this program, so our company still has a spot for a guest singer."

Jiang Congwen was stunned when he heard this. He had already understood what Zhang Yundong meant.

"Of course, being a guest also requires the program team to consider all aspects and decide whether it is appropriate."

"There are other people in our company who want to go, but Nanxi took the initiative to ask you to give it a try."

Jiang Congwen didn't know what to say for a moment. He felt that after going around in circles, he couldn't get out of this mess, as if it was destined.

Because of Li Jinting, Jiang Congwen has always been paying attention to this program.

Whether judging from the heated discussions during the current audition phase or the publicity and promotion of the program, this program clearly has the potential to become a huge hit.

For him, this is undoubtedly a rare and good resource.

Moreover, since Zhang Yundong had said so much, it was difficult for Jiang Congwen to refuse. It would be a bit ungrateful to refuse again.

Someone kindly took him there to help him, and then he said: My ex-girlfriend is there, I don’t want to go, I’m afraid I’ll be embarrassed?
"I am so grateful to Sister Nan and Director Zhang for their support." Jiang Congwen said seriously.

"The main reason is that I am confident in the quality of your album." Zhang Yundong said with a smile.

"Everything should be based on the work, which is the foundation of life."

"Yeah." Jiang Congwen nodded.

"By the way, where is Chen Mo? Why isn't he here?" Zhang Yundong asked.

"He went to pick up his sweetheart."

Against the backdrop of the setting sun and sunset glow, Chen Mo stepped on the colorful auspicious clouds.
Oops, I made a mistake. Let me try again.

In the afterglow of the evening sunset, Chen Mo drove calmly to the hotel where Xu Hongdou worked.

Ever since Xu Hongdou said that she would tell him in advance when she got off work, Chen Mo no longer had to wait in advance. Now, when Chen Mo arrived, Xu Hongdou was already standing at the door waiting for him.

So Chen Mo saw the beautiful figure standing at the entrance of the hotel from afar. The evening breeze ruffled her hair and skirt, creating a kind of messy beauty. "Hongdou, you haven't left yet? Do you want to join us?" Xu Zixin, a familiar colleague, greeted Xu Hongdou.

"No, you guys go first." Xu Hongdou smiled and shook her head.

"Who's going with you? We're Hongdou, someone's here to pick us up." Zhong Xueyao joked.

"Huh? Someone answered?" Xu Zixin still didn't quite understand what was going on.

"You've been working the night shift these days, so I don't know, Hongdou." Zhong Xueyao was just excitedly trying to popularize current affairs to Xu Zixin.

Chen Mo's car slowly stopped in front of Xu Hongdou.

"Here, here I come." Zhong Xueyao raised her chin and signaled with her eyes.

Xu Zixin turned around curiously and looked over.

"I'm leaving first." Xu Hongdou saw Chen Mo's car and turned to say to the two of them.

"Bye, see you tomorrow." Zhong Xueyao waved enthusiastically and gestured to Chen Mo in the car.

Chen Mo also smiled and nodded in response in the car.

"I'll take a rest tomorrow." Xu Hongdou said with a smile.

"Yes, see you next week. Have a sweet weekend~~"

Zhong Xueyao put her fists together, raised her thumbs and gestured, her eyebrows twitching.

In response, Xu Hongdou could only shake her head helplessly and got in the car.

Watching Xu Hongdou get into the car and drive away, Xu Zixin asked, "Is this Hongdou's boyfriend?"

"Well, it's almost right." Zhong Xueyao nodded.

"Huh? You don't even know what it means?" Xu Zixin asked.

"How could I not know!" Zhong Xueyao felt like her tail was stepped on.

"If it is, it is. If it is not, it is not. Whatever you are talking about is almost correct." Xu Zixin said.

"Didn't they come here waiting for Hongdou last week? At that time, Hongdou said it wasn't the right time yet," Zhong Xueyao explained.

"That's not the case. With Hongdou's personality, if she really did talk, she would tell everyone openly." Xu Zixin shook her head.

"But starting from this week, Hongdou has been the one coming out early to wait, and no one else is coming to wait there." Zhong Xueyao said again.

"And on Monday, I ran into them just like today. The man got off the car and thanked us for taking care of Hongdou."

"Listen, isn't this something only boyfriends would say?"

"You've been talking about both sides of the issue for so long, so is it or is it not?" Xu Zixin was speechless.

"That's why I said it's almost right." Zhong Xueyao said.

"Why don't you just say you don't know either?" Xu Zixin complained.

"You, I've told you so much, and you still don't know? How can you say I don't know?" Zhong Xueyao said with her eyes wide open.

"What do you know? You're just guessing." Xu Zixin shook her head and walked towards the subway exit.

"Hey, how can this be called a guess? This is an analysis based on facts." Zhong Xueyao hurried over.

"After analyzing for so long you can only come up with a coherent answer." Xu Zixin pouted.

"What nonsense? What I'm saying is rigorous!" Zhong Xueyao disagreed.

"I already understand the whole story clearly. All that's missing is Hongdou's acknowledgement to put an end to it and make it real."

"How can I say anything without the stamp of approval from the real owner? Do I have professional ethics?"

"I've been talking to you for so long. I might as well just ask Hongdou directly next week." Xu Zixin sighed.

"You don't understand. Whether it's news or entertainment gossip, the most important thing is timeliness." Zhong Xueyao said passionately.

"Not to mention a day earlier, even if it's an hour earlier, knowing this hour earlier than others has special meaning and fun."

"What's the point of waiting for Anko to tell everyone publicly then?"

"I don't understand, and I don't want to understand." Xu Zixin didn't shake her head.

"Hey, let me tell you something I know for sure." Zhong Xueyao whispered.

"Guess what the housekeeping staff found when they were cleaning room 404 yesterday."

"Your colleague is very enthusiastic." Chen Mo said with a smile.

"Well, she is a bit gossipy, but she is a nice person and sometimes quite interesting." Xu Hongdou thought for a moment and said with a smile.

"Gossip? No wonder your eyes light up every time you see me, it turns out you're gossiping." Chen Mo said with a smile.

"I thought you thought I was handsome."

"You are quite narcissistic." Xu Hongdou glanced at Chen Mo and said.

"Well, I did think about it. If she really likes me, how should I reject her?" Chen Mo nodded seriously.

"Why did you refuse? Are your standards so high?" Xu Hongdou asked deliberately.

"Alas, who told me to have such a beautiful one by my side, making others pale in comparison." Chen Mo sighed.

"If you look for it according to my conditions, it will be very difficult to find." Xu Hongdou touched his chin and said seriously.

"Ah? What should we do then?" Chen Mo asked in panic.

Xu Hongdou thought about it, shook her head and said, "There is no other way. You should lower your requirements."

"Before I met you, I might have been able to make do, but after meeting you, I'm not willing to compromise anymore," said Chen Mo.

"Then you're in a really difficult situation." Xu Hongdou said with a frown.

"It's you who made me so picky. You have to help me think of a solution." Chen Mo said anxiously.

"It's my fault, but there's nothing I can do. If you don't want to settle, you'll have to remain single." Xu Hongdou said regretfully.

"That won't do. My mother is counting on me to bring a girlfriend home this year." Chen Mo shook his head.

"Then I have no choice." Xu Hongdou said.

"Well, how about you do me a favor and come back home with me this year?" Chen Mo said after thinking for a while.

"Can I just help you randomly?!" Xu Hongdou's eyes widened.

"Don't worry, you won't help in vain." Chen Mo said generously.

"At worst, when it's your family's turn to urge you, I'll help you."

"My parents are in the capital, and your parents are in Zibo. I will pay for the plane tickets myself when the time comes."

"What do you think? Am I being nice enough?" Chen Mo said confidently.

"Not really. My family won't urge me because they don't have to worry about me not being able to get married." Xu Hongdou said.

"Then why did I hear Sister Hongmi say before that she was afraid you would become an old maid?" Chen Mo asked puzzledly.

"You remembered it wrongly, she didn't say that." Xu Hongdou denied.

"I clearly remember her saying that?" Chen Mo frowned.

"I have a good memory. She didn't say this. You must have remembered it wrongly." Xu Hongdou said.

"Oh, as long as you have a good memory, you haven't forgotten what you are going to do tomorrow?" Chen Mo asked.

"What?"

"Date me."

(End of this chapter)